“SQUATTER” IN STATE HOUSE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 5

“SQUATTER” IN STATE HOUSE

CHARGE IN MAGISTRATE'S COURT (P.A.) WIU4NGTON. January >3. A "squatter** in a State house at Naenae was charged before Mr H. J. Thompson. S.M., in Lower Hutt to-day with being unlawfully on premises in circumstances not disclosing the commission of, or intent to. commit any other crime. laegal argument develojted after Mr 3. A. Oakley, for the defence, obtained from a police witness a statement that the accused. Norman Stanley Harman, a men’s outfitter, was of known good character. Mr Oakley protested against the charge being laid under Section 54 of the Police Offences Act—one of a number of sections dealing .with rogues and vagabonds. He said it meant that hia client was -charged with a penal offence, and suggested that section 6 of the act. which covered trespass, was more appropriate. He submitted that in view of the inappropriateness of the charge and that as there had been no proof of ownerahip of the house, the charge should be dismissed. Senior-Seergeant D. R. Sugrue, prosecuting. said the onus, waa on the accused to prove that he was lawfully on the premises. He had stated that he had no intention of moving until the State Advances Corporation had found suitable alternative accommodation. “While he deserves sympathy, it la suggested that this conduct cannot be tolerated.” Senior-Sergeant Sugrue said. The Magistrate reserved his decision, saying that he needed three or four days to consider the point raised by the defence.